Documentation of vet bring backs
 

Hi All,

At a local gun shop there is a weapon that supposedly is a vet bring back. I always follow the golden rule of "Buy the gun not the story", however the vet who owns the weapon lives nearby. What documents qualify as providing "the story" which may add a premium (historical and monetary) to the weapon?

Thanks for any comments and or suggestions.

There should be "capture papers" from the army with the serial number listed and the GI's name. They would allow a soldeir to bring a gun back to the us. The papers are usually dated 1944 or 1945.

I feel they add about $50.00...


HOWEVER, they can be faked, as all it requires is a copy of a blank form and old paper and a typewriter...


I have also found that many times they are inaccurate, they list a luger and its a p38, or they call it a japanese luger and its a nambu...


Ed

A lot of war trophies came back without any papers... sneaked back in heavy coats and in the bottom of duffle bags... so not all will have them. If the veteran lives nearby, make the effort to meet him and get his story on how he came by it... I know he will appreciate that someone who will take care of his war trophy now has it, and you can personally show your appreciation for the effort it took to have it in your hand.

If I found one like that I would also want a pic of the man and his service record. Now thats history!

Timofey.

A very good questsion. As the others have said, a bring back certificate is a neat way to document a veteran story but not always possible. I have been known to get a notarized statement from the vet, or veteran's family, but again not always possible. Remember, these documented pistols are not only neat but do command a small premium and preserve the history of the material culture artifact.

Here is an example of a documented Sauer 38h police pistol rig that I picked up from the family of a deceased veteran. While there was no bring back certificate, I have a statement from the family along with a picture of the MP veteran while overseas. All in all, these things make for a very neat grouping.

My suggestion would be to make the extra effort to contact the family or veteran or not pay for the undocumented story.

George

And, here is a photo of the Military Policeman who brought it back. Pipeman is right, a photo of the veteran really makes the piece in my opinion.

George

I have a nice CZ27 and a Spanish made Regent pistol that cam eback from the war. I bought it from a co-worker whos dad brought them back. My friend (co-worker), and his sons are not interested in weapons and he offered them to me for a good price. Along with them, I got several photos of him and some of his patches from his outfit, the Big Red One! He was a Lt. at the time, but rose to Major after the war.

These are two pistols that did come back without papers.

George, I am writing a book on bring backs, the guns and any story. if interested, send me an e-mail for permission, I'd use what you said and the pictures. I have about 40 stories so far, and will publish within the next year.

:)

Ed

weimar_lugers@comcast.net

PS: I have two stories from marvin, 2 or 3 from John S., etc :)

Thanks All for the input.

I am going down to make an offer today.

Ed,

I sent you an email with some pix.

George

Thanks George!


That makes 115 pages of stories :)


Ed